Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a Putnam Valley woman on charges that she hosted a drinking party for minors at her home.
On Sept. 19, 2014, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a telephone call from a person reporting that there was a large party in progress at 25 Sunrise Drive in Putnam Valley, and that minors were consuming alcohol there. Sheriff’s deputies investigated the report and, upon arriving at the house, found nine under-aged persons on the premises who were reportedly drinking from a large assortment of alcoholic beverages. Four of the minors were said to be under the age of 17.
The homeowner, identified as Laurie J. Kennedy, 50, allegedly admitted that she had hosted the party at her home and had knowingly approved of the minors’ consumption of alcohol. Kennedy allegedly furnished tables, cups, and Ping-Pong balls for use in a drinking game commonly known as “beer pong.”
Kennedy was charged with nine counts of unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. All the charges are misdemeanors. She was also charged with a misdemeanor violation of the local “Social Host Law” under the Putnam Valley Town Code, which imposes criminal liability on an owner of premises who allows violations of alcohol laws on his or her property.
Deputies called the minors’ parents and had them respond to the house to take their children home.
Kennedy was released on her own recognizance pending a future appearance in the Town of Putnam Valley Justice Court to answer the charges. If found guilty of the offenses alleged, she could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 on each count. A charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
